Hundreds of Christians are expected to pack into Worcester Cathedral on Sunday 20 May at 6.30pm to worship together and pray for all who live and work in Worcestershire. Churches from all of the different Christian denominations are cancelling their usual evening services to join together for the occasion, which will feature best-selling author and founder of the 24-7 prayer movement, Pete Greig.
The event marks Pentecost, a Christian festival which celebrates when the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus' followers and is often considered the birthday of the Christian church and the start of the Church's mission in the world. The special service will feature the Salvation Army bandas well as a worship band from All Saints Church and prayers for ourselves and our neighbours will be led by church leaders from St Peter's Baptist Church. There will also be stands in the Cathedral highlighting the work of different local organisations run or supported by Worcester churches.
Michael Brierley, Canon Precentor at Worcester Cathedral has been part of the team organising the service. He said:
It will be fantastic to bring together all of the different Christian churches in the city and beyond to pray together for our County and show the impact we can have when we work together. Pentecost is such a special celebration in the Church's calendar and its great that Pete Greig is able to join us.
The service is part of Thy Kingdom Come, which began as a simple invitation to prayer from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York in 2016, but has since blossomed into a global movement bringing together hundreds of thousands of Christians from across the world to pray for more people to come to know the amazing love of Jesus Christ during the 11-day period from Ascension Day to Pentecost. In 2017 alone, more than 85 countries ranging from Canada to Australia, South Sudan to Japan - took part and it is hoped that this year, even greater numbers of individuals, families and churches will be involved.
The Bishop of Worcester, Dr John Inge, said:
On 20 May, we will be playing a small, but important part in this global wave of prayer.Worcester Cathedral has been a place of Christian worship and witness for hundreds of years so its appropriate that we join together in this space to pray for more people to hear the Good News of Jesus.
All are welcome to join the service in the Cathedral on Sunday 20 May at 6.30pm. Refreshments will be available afterwards.
ENDS
